KELOWNA, B.C. - UBCO Heat men's volleyball setter Zach van Geel was one of seven athletes to be named a player of the week by the Canada West conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Van Geel, a native of Calgary, earns the recognition for the third time in his Heat career while becoming the sixth different Heat athlete to be named a Canada West player of the week this season. He joins women's cross country runner Lauren McNeil (twice), women's golfer Julia Alexander-Carew, men's golfer Ryan Vest, men's volleyball outside hitter Seba Manuel, and men's basketball guard Jalen Shirley as UBCO athletes to be recognized in the 2025-26 season.

Men's Volleyball - Zach van Geel (UBCO Heat)
Jan. 23 vs TWU: 45 assists, 10 digs, 2 blocks, 2 kills, 3 points in 3-2 loss
Jan. 24 vs TWU: 52 assists, 12 digs, 5 aces, 4 blocks (2 solo), 2 kills, 10 points in 3-2 win

Playing in his final regular season home games, UBCO fifth-year setter Zach van Geel had an outstanding weekend to help his third-ranked Heat earn a weekend split with the second-ranked Trinity Western Spartans.

Van Geel posted eye-popping numbers during both contests, opening with 45 assists and 10 digs in Friday's narrow defeat in five sets. He followed that up on Graduating Seniors Night on Saturday by matching his career-high with 52 assists while adding five aces, a career-best and the second-most in a single game in program history. He also produced four blocks, including two solo and two kills for 10 points in the match.

His play helped the Heat hit 0.288 per cent over both contests, including a sparkling 0.367 per cent in Saturday's victory. He now sits third in Canada West for assists with 579 and second in digs with 128. His 80.5 points on the season also ranks second in the conference among setters.